Learn Microsoft Like Magic!: A Quick-Start Beginner's Guide
Learn Microsoft Like Magic!: A Quick-Start Beginner's Guide
Learn Microsoft Like Magic!: A Quick-Start Beginner's Guide
Preface
Once upon a time, every change made to a written page had to be done by hand. If changes affected other pages, entire documents had to be rewritten. With the advent of modern word processing programs, that day is over. Changes are easily made, almost magically, as many times as needed.
Microsoft Word is a powerful tool for anyone who writes. With it, you can create any text document from a simple letter, to a research paper, to professional book length manuscripts. Your finished work can be simple text, or include special formatting, illustrations, tables and more. Powerful as it is, some people find
Word intimidating, but most functions of Microsoft Word are quite user friendly.
This guide will tech you the most commonly used functions of Microsoft Word and give you the tools you need to teach yourself how to create documents that are more intricate. But, thats for later. The functions of Word you will use most often are simple so lets get started!
Opening Word Page layout Format options Naming your document Setting for automatic save Spell and grammar check Print Preview Final save PRINT!
Opening Word
Most computer literate people (like you) know how to open a program in Windows. However, Microsoft Office (the program suite that contains Word) has a number of programs, each with its own icon. So, lets begin at the beginning.
like this: is
available on your start menu. (If you dont see it, look in Microsoft Office.) If you use Word frequently, and you should, you may want to copy the shortcut to your desktop or taskbar. (Just drag and drop) Click it, and word opens.
Along the top of the program window, you will see a toolbar with a number of function icons. The first two on the far left will open another document without closing the one you are working on. It is sometimes helpful to have more than one document open at a time: For example, one copy of your outline, and one copy of your document draft.
To work with more than one document at a time: 1. Open Word. 2. Open a second document. a) For a new document use this icon: b) To open a saved document use this icon
3. Notice that you can shrink the document window by clicking on the minimize/maximize icon on the middle upper right on the window frame. 4. A document window that is full size will show two boxes in the icon: 5. A reduced document window shows one box:
Have a second or even third document open as you work. For example, you may want to refer to your outline, a rough draft, or a page of notes you took while doing online research. You can cut and paste lines of text as you decided on their best wording and placement. TRICK
You can easily size the Word window on your desktop. Try having the document you are working on close to full size, and your outline or notes behind it. 1. Make sure your window is in reduced mode. 2. Bring your cursor to the edge of the window: 3. Your cursor changes from this: to this: n 4. Drag your window to the size you want. 5. You are ready to start writing!
Moving the entire document window is just as easy: 1. Place your cursor on a blank part of the window frame. 2. Left click. 3. Use your mouse to move the document. 4. Move the document on your desktop wherever you need to, as often as you need to.
1. Click on the work FILE in the top bar of the program. 2. Click save as. 3. Type the name you choose into the file name window. 4. Click the save button.
Now, click ok and your documents are safe AS LONG AS YOU NAME THEM FIRST! When you take a break from your writing, simply click the blue floppy icon that any last bits you entered since the last automatic backup is saved. in the
upper left of the toolbar before shutting the program down. This way, you can be sure
As soon as you begin your work, give your document a name. Dont worry about choosing a name; you can easily change it later. Whats important is the Word will automatically save a named document as you work TRICK
Check and resolve each item Word underlines. Youll be more apt to notice your own errors this way. If you deicide to take Words advice, click on the option you choose to replace or edit as suggested. If you decide that you prefer your original, click Ignore All Ignore Once or Ignore Rule
What if you frequently use a word that Word does not recognize, but you know is correct? (Such as the name of the town your Grandfather came from) Add it to the dictionary. What if you disagree with Words style choices? You can choose the level of formality by using the Tools > Options > Settings > Grammar.